Speaking to his club’s official website, Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka revealed the signing of Arsenal defender Calum Chambers on loan has given him a headache – in the best possible sense. He is a young player and I hope I can bring the best out of him.
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“When we are organised, it is hard to score against us and beat us”, the Spaniard told a news conference.
“Sometimes it’s true that you have to play a lot of games, but sometimes players who haven’t played here went to other places and came back better players”.
“But I prefer it that way to having just 12 players”.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is confident he bought well in the final, frantic stages of the transfer window after bringing in Calum Chambers and Adama Traore.
Chambers could be handed his Boro debut in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at the Riverside, and his versatility across a back line which had already been significantly strengthened by the additions of Antonio Barragan, Bernardo Espinosa and Fabio da Silva plus keeper Victor Valdes is part of what attracted Karanka to him. “The attitude of the players is really good and I am really pleased”.
Boro have made an unbeaten start to life back in the Premier League, drawing with Stoke City and West Brom either side of a 2-1 victory away to local rivals Sunderland. We have shown that we are ready for this league. We were waiting until the end because the squad was nearly complete and we were waiting for the right player.
“We have started really well but we can’t get carried away because we know how hard this league is”. But we have to focus on ourselves and play in our style.
“He can play in different positions and is a good kid”.
“Thankfully, they are OK and ready to play”, Karanka said.
Karanka also complimented Palace’s dealings in the recent transfer window, and he expects his side to “keep working and going in our way”.
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“It’s really good news because we have a nice problem to choose the best 11, and the best seven for the bench”.
